Lighting fixture



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.|.

INVENTOR TORNEY LIGHTING FIXTURE Winfried Nieder-Westermann W. NEDER-WESTERMANN May l2, 1964 Filed Aug. l0, 1961 IMM/1.

May 12, 1964 w.` NIEDER-WESTERMANN 3,132,814

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Aug. l0, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.5.

United States Patent O 3,132,814 LIGHTING FIXTURE Winfried Nieder-Westermann, Parma, Ohio, assigner to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 10, 1961, Ser. No. 130,575 Claims. (Cl. 2411-78) This invention relates generally to lighting fixtures, and more particularly to a lighting fixture containing a fully light-transmitting shielding media including snap-on end plates.

Frequently it becomes desirable to have a fully lighttransmitting or luminous lighting xture shielding media which hides from View all of the xtures metal parts and eliminates the dark areas at the ends of each unit and at the juncture between adjacent units when these are mounted in continuous rows. Prior to the present invention this had been done in plastic shielding media by chemically Welding of molded `translucent end caps to the extruded main body section of the shielding media or refractor. However, this prior practice has the disadvantage of being a costly assembly and the difference in tolerances of extruded and molded pieces used often resulted in non-continuous joints which was especially critical when relatively larger shielding media is employed. Also, a chemical welding solution often leaves a non-clean appearance in that run marks are readily visible and collect dirt particles in the softened plastic surface while the solution is drying.

Two other common prior practices are injection mold-l ing of the entire basket and overlapping of molded end plates over the extruded section. The rst presents certain limitations in design due to shape and cross-section and is very expensive to tool. The latter method perhaps is the most common design but fails to fulfill any of the existing problems plaguing the industry.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting xture shielding media which is a "relatively inexpensive assembly and substantially eliminates the disadvantages of the shielding media heretofore known.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel, fully luninous or light transmitting fixture shielding media.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a lighting fixture including a shielding media elimi-` nating the dark areas at the ends thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide in a row of lighting fixtures substantially invisible joints at the junctures of the xtures with one another.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lighting xture shielding media which hides all of the fixtures metal parts and provides a neat and exceptionally clean appearance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighting fixture wherein the color of the ends of that xture is not limited to that of the main body of the shielding media.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for the mechanical attachment of the parts of a plastic shielding media so as to eliminate the previous chemical welding of such parts for ease and practical packing thereof immediately after assembly.

A still further object of the present invention is to 3,132,814 Patented May 12., 1964 A provide a novel snap-on end plate for a shielding media,

the end plate cooperating with a bowed in portion of the main body portion of the shielding media to provide a snug and firm interconnection between the parts.

Briefly, the present invention thus envisions a fully light transmitting shielding media, such as a refractor, for a lighting xture wherein the end plates are yfully light transmitting and are engaged by mechanical means, such as a snap-on fit, to provide the advantages above described. The main body portion of the shielding media is disposed in a bowed position to firmly support the end plates in place. The end plates include mounted, fullylight transmitting corners so as to eliminate dark areas at the ends of a fixture and at the juncture between abutting fixtures disposed in a row. The end plate of the present invention contains replaceable covers so as to permit the fixture to contain differently colored light transmitting characteristics, or an opaque characteristic whenever such is desired.I

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments thereof When taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is an end View of a. lighting fixture constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is aside elevational view of both ends of a single lighting xture or of opposite ends of two adjacent connected lighting fixtures, a portion of FIG. `2 representing a transverse sectional View taken along the reference line II-II of FIG. 1;

. FIG. 3 is an` enlarged view of the end portion of the transverse section of FIG. 2 to `more clearly illustrate the features thereof; f

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the portion of the lighting fixture illustrated in FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 5 is an end view of the main body portion of the shielding media in its bowed condition prior to assembly with end plates of the present invention..

Referring more particularly to FIGS. l and 2 it can be seen that lighting fixture 10 is of a generally rectangular configuration in both the side and end views and includes a housing 12 and a shielding media 14.

The housing 12 comprises a centerchannel section 16 for ballast components enclosed by a cover 18, and reverse channel extensions 20 on each end for supporting the lampholders 22, which in turn support the elongated light sources 24 and the shielding media 14.

A main body portion 26 of the shielding media 14 is preferably an extruded VU-shaped plastic section, although jother materials such as glass can be used if desired. It can includekvarious prismatic surfaces (not shown) if desired. At its uppermost ends the bodyvportion 26 contains a double bend flange 28 which hooks over the bent up portion 30 of the housing 12 for supported engagement therewith. ln a similar (manner molded end cover 32 contains an overlapping upper return flange portion34 at each of its ends for engaging over the peripheral ends Si) of the housing 12.

Since molded parts of the size used in cup-shaped end plate 32, for example, have little or no tolerances, they are designed to take care of all the tolerances of the extruded body portion 26 so that variations no longer become visible to the eye. For this purpose the molded end plate 32 has around its periphery a thin ange or projection 36 designed to project into the extruded section 26. The top horizontal section of the iiange 36 serves as a guide tab and as a centering device for inserting the end plate langes in the extruded body portion 26. Inclined grooves 38 in the flange 36 in conjunction with a clip 40 secure the end plate 32 in position at the end of body portion 26 (see FIG. 3). The clip 49 tits over the upper edge 42 of the body portion 26 and is held in place by indents 44 which contain sharp edges that dig into the plastic body portion 26 to retain the clip in position. The clip 4) contains a. nose 46 which is inclined in substantially the same direction as the groove 38 of the end plate 32 so'that when the clip passes over the inclined outer edge 48 of the upper flange 36 the resilient nose 46 deflects until Vthe ange passes the point Where the nose 46 can drop into the groove 38 to retain the clip in a secured lixed position.

However, before inserting the upper horizontal llange into the extruded body section 26 the lower flange 36 is placed in position in slot or cutout S formed in the bottom surface of the section 26. Projection S2 on lower ange 36 is thus engaged in the groove S6 and abuts against a lug or stop 54 which prevents the projection 52 from moving outwardly from the extruded section 26. Shoulder 56 on bottom liange 36 prevents that flange from entering into the extruded portion 26 too far. Projection 52 is higher than the cutout 50 to compensate for variations in different end plates and body sections. These variations are also compensated for by the gap or groove 53 above stop 54 by permitting projection 52 to settle in cutout 50 as deeply as it can. Thus, after projection 52 is insertedv properly in cutout 50 the top flange 36 is brought into position past the nose 46 of the clip 49 and securely fastened in place with the nose 46 in the groove 38.

Since the end plate 32 is cup-shaped and fully light transmitting it presents corners for the shielding media 14 which do not present dark areas as on prior art tixtures. Thus, since the body section is also fully light transmitting no dark area are prominent when viewing the shielding media. The cup-shaped end plates are designed so that they are not fully insertable into the body section 26 so as to emphasize the fully light transmitting sides and corners thereof.

The molded end plate 32 lits snugly on and in the extruded body section 26 in that the latter section is upwardly bowed along its longitudinal side elevation as illustrated at a as illustrated in FIG. 5. In FIG. the condition of the extruded section 26 is shown in its end elevation prior to fitting of the end plate 32 thereon. When an end plate 32 is inserted in this end of the extruded section 26 it forces the inwardly bowed portion down into a horizontal condition which draws the return flanges 2S downwardly and inwardly into tight engagement with the sides of the housing. This in edect causes the distance between the upper and lower portions of the extruded section 26 to be reduced so as to close in on the upper and lower flanges 36 to make a snug engagement between the clip 40 and the groove 38, and between the projection 52 and the slot 50. This upward force puts a continuous pressure against the clips 40 regardless of the tolerance variations in the vertical direction of the extruded section 26.

It can be seen that molded end plate 32 has its center cutout along the dotted line indicated by the reference numeral 5S as seen in FIG. 1. Nipples 60 kare formed around the inner edge of the cutout 58 and are provided with openings 62 in the middle thereof to receive clear plastic connecting members 64. These connecting members 64 are in turn attached to an end cover plate 66. End cover plate 66 tits over the outside surface of the molded end plate 32 so as to close the opening defined by the cutout 58. The purpose for having this separate piece is to permit the end covers to be of various colors or even opaque if desired. This lends variety to the fixture from a decorative point of view. Projections 64 from the end cover 66 fit snugly in the openings 62 so as to be rmly held in place but yet releasable so as to be interchangeable with other cover members when desired.

As stated in the brief description of the drawings, FIG. 2 can be considered either as a single luminaire half shown in a transverse section, or can be considered opposite ends of two adjacent connected units with the abutting ends not shown. If two abutting units, they can be nteriocked in a manner similar to that illustrated in application Serial No. 5062, filed January 27, 1960, now Patent No. 3,086,105, by W. Nieder-Westermann, entitled Luminaire and assigned to the same assignee as is the present invention.

Since it is obvious that the present invention can be embodied in othervforms and constructions within the spirit and scope thereof, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art, it is to be understood that the particular form shown is but one of such embodiments. With various modifications and changes being possible the invention is not limited in any way with respect thereto. Moreover, it is to be understood that certain features of the invention can be employed without a corresponding use of other features thereof.

Accordingly, what is claimed as new is:

1. A lighting xture shielding media having an elon gated U-shaped body section with secured end plates, flanges extending inwardly from the sides of said body section generally parallel with the bight portion thereof, projecting means extending from each of said end plates into a juxtaposed fit with the inner surfaces ot said body section flanges and bight portion, and connecting means on said projecting means and on said body section inner surfaces, said connecting means comprising cooperating grooves and lugs and clips securely engaging said projecting means with said body section inner surfaces.

2. A substantially light-transmitting lighting fixture shielding med-ia having an elongated U-shaped body section with secured end plates, lianges extending inwardly from the sides of said body section generally parallel with the bight portion thereof, projecting means extending from each of said end plates into a juxtaposed tit with the inner surfaces of said body section flanges and bight portion, said projecting means including grooves facing said flanges and bight portion, a lug on said bight portion engaged in the groove facing said bight portion, and clips secured on said iianges and having depressible nose portions engaged in the groove facing said flanges, said end plates being securely held by said body section.

3. A lighting fixture shielding media having an elongated U-shaped body section with secured cup-shaped end plates, anges extending inwardly from the sides of said body section generally parallel with the bight portion thereof, projecting means extending from each of said end plates into a juxtaposed lit with the inner surfaces of said body section lianges and bight portion, said projecting means including grooves facing said flanges and bight portion, a lug on said bight portion engaged in the groove facing said bight portion, Yand clips secured on said flanges and having depressible nose portions engaged in the groove facing said flanges, all portions of said body portion other than said clips being fully light transmitting, said end plates being securely held by said body Section.

4. A lighting xture shielding media having an elongated U-shaped body section with secured end plates, anges extending inwardly from the sides of said body section generally parallel with the bight portion thereof, projecting means extending from each of said end plates into a juxtaposed iit with the inner surfaces of saidbody section anges and bight portion, said projecting means including grooves facing said flanges and bight portion, a lug on said bight portion engaged in the groove facing said bight portion, and clips secured on said flanges having depressible nose portions engaged in the groove fac'- ing said flanges, the bight portion of said body section being of resilient material and inwardly bowed prior to engagement of said end plates therewith, said end plates being securely held by said body section.

5. A lighting xture shielding media having an elongated U-shaped body section with secured cup-shaped end plates, anges extending inwardly from the sides of said body section generally parallel with the bight portion thereof, a peripheral projecting ilange extending from each of @said end plates into a juxtaposed t with the inner surfaces of said body section, and connecting means on said projecting means and on said body section inner surfaces, said connecting means comprising cooperating grooves and lugs and clips securely engaging said projecting means with said body section inner surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Michel Oct. 25, Ghin Apr. 28, Scheprnoes May 16, Picha et al. Apr. 21, Diedring Dec. 22,

FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Dec. 6, Germany June 4, Great Britain Feb. 1, 

1. A LIGHTING FIXTURE SHIELDING MEDIA HAVING AN ELONGATED U-SHAPED BODY SECTION WITH SECURED END PLATES, FLANGES EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE SIDES OF SAID BODY SECTION GENERALLY PARALLEL WITH THE BIGHT PORTION THEREOF, PROJECTING MEANS EXTENDING FROM EACH OF SAID END PLATES INTO A JUXTAPOSED FIT WITH THE INNER SURFACES OF SAID BODY SECTION FLANGES AND BIGHT PORTION, AND CONNECTING MEANS ON SAID PROJECTING MEANS AND ON SAID BODY SECTION INNER SURFACES, SAID CONNECTING MEANS COMPRISING COOPERATING GROOVES AND LUGS AND CLIPS SECURELY ENGAGING SAID PROJECTING MEANS WITH SAID BODY SECTION INNER SURFACES. 